The city’s ambitious plan to house 500 homeless families in 100 days through rapid rehousing vouchers is not on track to meet its goal, Mayor Vince Gray said in a letter to the Council today.

After a winter that saw hundreds of homeless families seeking shelter, Gray says the program, which began on April 1, has seen 99 families exit shelter, with 147 units passing inspection. “While this represents good progress,” Gray writes, “we are currently on a trajectory that would fall short of meeting our goal … by July 11th.”

To attract landlord interest, which has thus far been the issue, the letter says, Gray placed an ad in the Washington Business Journal. It states in part:

Today, I am renewing my call for each of you to step forward and partner with us in improving the lives of these families. I’m not asking you for a hand-out. The District government and our non-profit partners will provide subsidies and other supports, which will be paid directly to participating landlords. We are offering a chance to do good while doing well financially.

Rapid rehousing provides vouchers to homeless individuals and families that last at least four months and extended to over a year. At the launch of 500 Families, 100 Days, some landlords expressed concern about everything from case management to payment issues, while another said the program is “outstanding.”

Director of Human Service Director David Berns, who will leave his post next month, admitted the program was a risk: “But we want to be your partner so the families can be successful.”

A spokesperson for DHS declined to comment: “We feel that the letter is self-explanatory.”